Last week we talked about sugar consumption and limiting your processed sugar intake.

So then, what can you have? Honey! Perhaps let’s re-phrase. Honey is a great alternative, but rather than can and cannot have, let’s go with we choose.

Sometimes just the wording can make all the difference. Feeling like we can’t have something can trigger a stronger desire for it since it’s not allowed. So, thinking of it differently in the context of “I’m choosing” helps it become an easier choice.

Back to honey. I love honey since my body has no negative reaction to it like it does processed sugar. It’s my go to as replacement in recipes that call for sugar and can also be used instead of corn syrup as well. It has lovely anti-microbial properties and is said to help with seasonal allergies when it’s locally sourced. I love where we live as there are many options for local honey and we buy it by the bucketful.

There’s another thing I wanted to discuss as well, especially since this is one I need to be better about myself. Exercise. Specifically outdoors. Getting that fresh, cooler air can make a huge difference for your immune system and combining that with a walk gives you that extra boost! Going out in the morning without sunglasses is the best time to get that morning sun red light therapy. For me personally, since I started walking the dog at sunrise without sunglasses and allowing my eyes to absorb that light, I’ve had much less sensitivity to the sun and my sight seems better.

Let me just say, I’m sharing my experiences and things that have helped me personally as well as my family. I’ve done a lot of my own study with various different things, but I am not giving any medical advice, just options.

Another lovely recipe I’d like to share that includes honey and wellness is my elderberry syrup. Keith loves this one and is always excited to take it. There are a few ingredients that are musts for us, but this one is adaptable.

about a cup of elderberries (in the past I’ve foraged mine and intend to have my own bush next year, however, I currently have some from butterfly express. I am a wholesaler so let me know if I can help you out. I’ll leave a link at the end as well)

2 cinnamon sticks

7ish cloves

1 bay leaf

dried peels from approximately 3 clementines

The musts are the first 3, I’ve also added allspice and star anise and there are many different herbs you can throw in as well if you like.

I use about 4 cups of filtered water, let it simmer on a low/medium heat for about an hour and strain. Let it cool slightly and add about a tablespoon of honey. I always use glass jars for my tonics and syrups and store it in the fridge. We do a shot every night, sometimes alternating between the turmeric and elderberry and sometimes doing both.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do! I love to hear what you think and if there are other topics/tonics/recipes you’d like, let me know!

Here is the link for the elderberries: Elderberries Dry Herb Pack